Enterprise Linux Features
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, released in March 2007, contains more than 1200 components with development spanning over a two year period, so there are a huge number of new features covering a broad range of functionality. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 provides CIOs and IT managers with the means to reduce costs while improving operational flexibility throughout their computing infrastructure.
The following list provides a brief summary of the more important enhancements. For additional details, see the server and desktop product sections on the Red Hat website.
Virtualization on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Virtualization is provided in all Linux Server products and is optionally available for Client products
- Network Attached Storage and extended server virtualization are provided with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform
- Red Hat Network supports virtualized guest operating systems
- virt-manager, libvirt/virsh management tools
Kernel and Performance
- Based on the Linux 2.6.18 kernel
- Support for multi-core processors
- Broad range of new hardware support
- Updated crash dump capability provided by Kexec/Kdump
- Support for Intel Network Accelerator Technology (IOAT)
- Numerous enhancements for large SMP systems
- Enhanced pipe buffering
- IPv4/IPv6 fragmentation offload and buffer management
- Dynamically switchable per-queue I/O schedulers
- Kernel buffer splice capability for improved I/O buffer operations
Packaging
Transition of previous Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, WS and Red Hat Desktop offerings with simplified server and client products:
Servers:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform - formerly known as Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux - formerly known as Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES
Desktops:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop - formerly known as Red Hat Desktop
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop with Workstation option - formerly known as Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS
Security
- SELinux enhancements include Multi-Level Security and targeted policies for all services
- SEtroubleshooter GUI simplifies SELinux management
- Integrated directory and security capabilities
- IPSEC enhancements improve security and performance
- ExecShield enhancements, such as a call frame Canary word, strengthen hacker defenses
- New Audit features provide powerful new search/reporting and real-time monitoring
Networking & Interoperability
- Network storage enhancements include Autofs, FS-Cache, and iSCSI support
- IPv6 support and conformance enhancements
- Improved Microsoft ® file/print and Active Directory integration
Desktop
- Desktop enhancements include updated configuration tools, applications, and laptop support
- Foundational Stateless Linux features (X autoconfigure, NetworkManager, etc.)
- Improved ACPI support with features such as suspend to disk
- Smart card login - with PKI/Kerberos authentication
- Integrated multimedia support
- Enhanced plug and play hardware support (cameras, printers, scanners, etc.)
- Network Manager provides automatic wired and wireless network configuration
- Enhanced graphics using AIGLX/Compiz (with fading, transparency, etc.)
Development Environment
- Enhanced application development tools including SystemTap profiler and Frysk debugger
- GCC 4.1 and glibc 2.5 toolchain
Storage
- Support for root device multipath IO (MPIO) improves availability
- Single system/guest version of Red Hat Global File System included in the base server product
- Block device data encryption support
Management
- Numerous installer improvements make system configuration simpler
- Yum/Pup-based updater for Red Hat Network
- Conga cluster and storage management (with Advanced Platform)
You can have this state of the art operating system pre installed on your next system from Pogo Linux.
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